Supplemental Cash Flow Information (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011	Dec. 31, 2011
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net loss	$ (63,316)	$ (11,744)	$ (81,087)	$ (46,260)	$ (62,671)
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash used in operating activities:
Amortization and depreciation	2,774	717	6,617	1,580
Accretion of asset retirement obligation			(118)
Foreign currency gain on loss contingency			(117)
Foreign currency gain on deferred tax liability			(522)
Impairment of goodwill	57,213		57,213
Impairment (reversal of impairment) of accounts receivable			35	151
Asset write off			428
Gain on sale of marketable securities				215
Fair value of stock/warrants received for mineral rights			(309)
Gain on sale of assets, net			(1,889)	(389)
Income tax provision			(5,857)	(1,070)
Foreign exchange loss on convertible notes				472
Stock compensation			831	5,328
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Increase in trade accounts receivable			(1,199)
Decrease in prepaid expenses and other assets			1,975	346
Increase in inventories			299	(328)
Increase in value added tax recoverable, net			(1,716)	(199)
Increase in accrued interest payable				(60)
Increase (decrease) in accounts payable and accrued liabilities			(1,909)	(5,327)
Decrease in deferred leasehold payments			(71)	(98)
Decrease in tax payable, net				769
Treasury shares acquired and retired				(1,834)	1,834
Net cash used in operating activities			$ (27,396)	$ (46,704)